Chapter 2
Weeks had passed since Yona Senju and Sasuke Uchiha had begun their training sessions together, their routine now a well-oiled machine of sparring and banter. Each day brought new challenges, both pushing each other to refine their jutsu and strengthen their bond. Yona had surprised herself with how much she enjoyed training alongside the stoic Uchiha, and now, she was bursting with excitement as she prepared to test a new earth-style jutsu she had been honing.
As she stepped out of her room, she felt a thrill of anticipation coursing through her. Today was the day she would unveil her new technique. She made her way to the kitchen, her heart racing with thoughts of what Sasuke would think.
Sitting down at the breakfast table, Yona was greeted by the comforting aroma of rice and miso soup. Shizune was busy at the stove, and her head turned in surprise when she noticed Yona. “Good morning, Yona! You’re up early,” she remarked, eyebrows raised. “Is there something special today?”
“Morning, Shizune!” Yona replied, grinning widely. “I’ve got a training session with Sasuke later, and I’m ready to show him my new jutsu! I can’t wait!”
“Sounds exciting! Have you practiced enough? You know he’s pretty formidable,” Shizune said, her smile turning into a playful smirk.
“Please, I can handle him!” Yona declared confidently, pouring herself a bowl of rice. “He won’t know what hit him!”
Just then, a familiar voice echoed through the hallway. “Yona! Get out of bed! You’re going to be late!” Tsunade shouted from outside her room.
Yona rolled her eyes and called back, “I’m in the kitchen, Tsuna!”
The door swung open with a creak, and Tsunade stepped in, her expression a mix of shock and amusement. “How is this possible? You’re up before noon? What kind of miracle is this?”
“Just trying to be a model student, Tsuna!” Yona replied, her tone teasing.
Tsunade crossed her arms, shaking her head with a grin. “A model student who’s up for breakfast? What a miracle!”
Shizune chuckled, pouring a cup of tea for Tsunade. “You’re going to need all the energy you can get, especially if you’re planning to keep this up.”
Tsunade nodded, taking a sip of her tea. “Speaking of keeping up, I’ve got a surgery to assist with today. The hospital is as hectic as ever, and I can’t afford to fall behind.”
Shizune’s expression turned serious as she leaned forward. “Tsunade sama, don’t forget about the administrative tasks you have pending. The new staff needs your attention too; you’re supposed to be managing the department, not just doing surgeries.”
Tsunade groaned, rolling her eyes. “You’re reminding me about the very thing that makes this job a pain! Fine, I’ll handle it, but only if you promise to keep the coffee coming while I sort through the mess.”
“Deal!” Shizune replied, her smile returning as she grabbed a fresh pot of coffee.
Yona watched the two women with a fondness that swelled in her chest. They had a rhythm that came from years of working together, and she admired their dedication. “You guys have a busy day ahead,” she said, rising from her seat. “I’ll see you later. I need to get to the academy early to warm up.”
As Yona stepped outside, she suddenly remembered something important. She turned back toward the kitchen, where she found Tsunade and Shizune still discussing their plans for the day.
“Tsuna!” Yona called out, catching Tsunade’s attention just as she was about to leave the room. “I meant to ask you for a scroll on an earth-style jutsu I want to work on.”
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “Earth-style jutsu? Is that really appropriate for your academy level? Those can be quite complex.”
Yona shrugged, a determined glint in her eyes. “I want to use it on Sasuke during our training. I think it’ll surprise him!”
Tsunade blinked, her expression shifting from surprise to concern. “You’re talking about Sasuke Uchiha, right? The one from the Uchiha clan?”
“Yeah! We’ve been training together, and it’s been great. He’s really strong, but I think I can give him a run for his money with this new technique,” Yona explained, her excitement evident.
Tsunade pursed her lips, contemplating the implications. “I’m not sure if that’s a good idea, Yona. The Uchiha clan has a lot of… history. I just want you to be careful.”
Shizune, unable to resist, chimed in with a teasing smile. “Come on, Tsunade. You’re just hung up on those old prejudices the Senju have against the Uchiha.”
Tsunade’s eyes widened in surprise. “You knew about that and didn’t tell me?”
“I figured you’d overreact,” Shizune said, a cheeky grin on her face.
“Shizune!” Tsunade exclaimed, exasperation lacing her voice. She sighed, rubbing her temples in frustration. “Look, Yona, I don’t want you to get hurt, especially if you’re training with him.”
“I’ll be fine! Sasuke and I have been working well together, and he’s not like the others,” Yona reassured her, her confidence unwavering. “We’ve developed a sort of understanding.”
Tsunade softened slightly at Yona’s determination. “I know you’re strong, but just be careful, okay? I don’t want any unnecessary complications.”
“Promise!” Yona said, smiling brightly. With that, she turned to leave again, her heart racing with excitement for the training ahead. She would show both Tsunade and Sasuke just how capable she was. Today was her day to shine.
--
As Sasuke walked into the classroom, he expertly dodged the usual throngs of fangirls with practiced ease. It was a routine he had grown so accustomed to that he barely even noticed them anymore. Instead, his gaze drifted to the back of the class, where Yona sat beside Shikamaru, who seemed to prefer that spot to avoid the chaos.
When their eyes met, Yona grinned at him cheekily, and he could see the mischief dancing in her expression. He knew that look all too well; it meant she was planning something for their training later. A small grin tugged at his lips as he shook his head, amused. Whatever she had in mind, he found himself looking forward to it. Training with her was always an unexpected adventure.
As he took his seat at the front, he felt the familiar tug of irritation when Sakura tried to get his attention again. “Sasuke!” she called, leaning forward in her seat, her voice a little too eager. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes, wishing that Yona could take the irritating pinkette’s place in his life.
“Can you not?” he muttered under his breath, turning his focus away from her. He was about to snap at her again when their sensei, Iruka, entered the classroom, breaking the tension in the air.
“Good morning, class!” Iruka greeted, and the chatter slowly died down as everyone settled into their seats. Sasuke sighed in relief, thankful for the distraction. Iruka began discussing their lessons for the day, but his mind wandered back to Yona and their upcoming training session.
As Iruka continued, Sasuke could feel Yona’s gaze lingering on him from the back. It was comforting to know that, despite the distractions and annoyances of the academy, he had at least one person he could rely on—a partner who didn’t treat him like a god or a monster but just as another shinobi. He allowed himself a moment of anticipation, eager for the chance to see what Yona had in store for him.
---
Yona grunted as she hit the ground, knocked down yet again by Sasuke’s relentless attacks. She lay there for a second, catching her breath, while Sasuke stood over her with a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
“You know, you’re just doing this because you’re still salty about losing to me last time,” she muttered, glaring up at him. She pushed herself back to her feet, brushing dirt off her clothes.
He scoffed, crossing his arms. “You cheated with that wind technique. I was just evening the score.”
She rolled her eyes. “Cheating? It’s not my fault if you don’t know how to adapt.”
Sasuke shook his head but found himself smirking. The truth was, he was impressed. Yona’s versatility was remarkable—she could bounce between different elemental techniques with an ease that was rare, especially at their level. Not that he’d ever tell her that, of course.
They went at it again, their movements fluid and intense as they sparred. Yona fought hard, using her speed to keep up, though she knew Sasuke’s taijutsu skills were a clear advantage. She couldn’t help but feel a twinge of frustration at that, but it only pushed her to try harder, throwing in surprise moves to keep him on his toes.
Finally, as the sun started to dip below the horizon, they both dropped to the ground, exhausted.
“Guess we’ll call it a day,” Yona said between breaths, lying back and staring up at the darkening sky.
“Yeah,” Sasuke agreed, wiping sweat from his brow. They sat in companionable silence for a moment before standing up and dusting themselves off.
As they went their separate ways, Sasuke glanced back at Yona. Despite their rivalry, he respected her more than anyone else he’d met in the academy. For once, he felt he wasn’t training alone. He wasn’t about to say it out loud, but he was looking forward to their next match.
--
As Yona strolled through the bustling market, the familiar shopkeepers greeted her with wide smiles and friendly nods.
“Good evening, Yona!” called a vendor as he reached for a small paper bag of sweet rice cakes he had ready. “Your favorite treat, as usual.”
“Thank you!” Yona replied, smiling warmly. She was used to this friendly treatment. People knew her as one of the last Senju and, of course, as the niece of Tsunade, the renowned head of Konoha’s hospital. Many of the villagers held her aunt in high regard and often showed Yona extra kindness because of it.
Just as she turned to head home, a loud voice caught her attention.
“Get lost, you little pest!” barked a shopkeeper from the stall next door. Yona’s eyes followed the sound and landed on Naruto, who was retreating, shoulders hunched and face downcast.
Yona frowned. She hadn’t really paid much attention to Naruto before—he was the class clown, always getting into trouble. But the harshness in the shopkeeper’s voice felt excessive, even cruel. Without thinking, she hurried after him.
“Hey, Naruto!” she called, catching up to him as he trudged down the road.
Naruto stopped and turned, visibly surprised to see her. “Oh, Yona! What’s up?” His voice was cheerful, but she could see the forced smile and the flicker of sadness in his eyes.
She hesitated, searching for the right words. “Are you… okay?”
“Yeah! Of course!” he replied quickly, laughing a bit too loudly. “Just heading home. Might grab some instant ramen on the way, you know? Quick and easy.”
Yona’s brows knitted in confusion. “Instant ramen? That’s all you’re having for dinner?”
“Sure, why not?” Naruto’s laugh was awkward as he scratched the back of his head. “It’s cheap, it’s fast… and it’s not like I have anyone waiting at home to cook for me anyway.” He tried to say it casually, but Yona caught the faint crack in his voice. His stomach chose that moment to rumble loudly.
She felt a pang of sympathy and guilt. She’d never thought much about Naruto’s life outside of the Academy. “Wait,” she asked, voice soft, “do you… live alone?”
Naruto blinked at her, a little surprised by the question. “Uh, yeah, I do. Why?”
Yona looked at him in shock. It had never even crossed her mind that someone her age could live alone, let alone Naruto, who always put on a cheerful front. She paused, and then her expression softened as an idea came to her. “How about you come over to my place for dinner tonight?”
Naruto’s eyes widened, a mix of disbelief and hope flickering across his face. “Really? You mean… actually eat with you?”
“Of course!” she laughed, nudging him playfully. “There’s no way I’m letting you eat that instant stuff when there’s plenty of real food. Shizune always makes enough to feed an army, even when she and my aunt are busy. Besides,” she added with a grin, “maybe some good food will put some sense into that thick skull of yours.”
Naruto stared at her, processing her words. His mouth opened, then closed, and then he nodded slowly, as if he couldn’t believe his luck. “Wow… thanks, Yona. I… nobody’s ever really invited me over like that.”
She gave him a warm smile, and they started walking together. After a moment of silence, Naruto tried to make light of the moment, his voice hesitant. “So… your aunt is Tsunade, right? The super famous medic?”
“Yup, that’s her,” Yona said with a chuckle. “Though, she’d rather I didn’t call her ‘super famous.’ She thinks it’ll go to her head.”
Naruto laughed, but his laughter softened as they walked. “I guess… you’re really lucky. To have someone like her looking out for you.”
Yona’s expression softened, and she looked at him thoughtfully. “I guess I am. But tonight, she and Shizune are going to be looking out for you, too.” She gave him a friendly elbow bump. “So be ready to eat more than just ramen for once.”
Naruto chuckled, his cheeks turning slightly pink. “Hey, I’ll eat anything. I’m starving!”
“Good,” she replied, laughing. “Shizune will probably make a huge fuss about having a guest. And I swear, if you’re really polite, she’ll bring out the special dessert she hides for herself.”
Naruto’s face lit up, and he gave her a grin. “You mean, like, actual dessert? This just keeps getting better!”
They reached Yona’s home, and Naruto felt a mix of nerves and excitement as he stepped inside. For once, he didn’t feel like the odd one out, and as Yona led him in, he couldn’t help but smile.
Yona and Naruto settled into the cozy warmth of her home, and Naruto’s mood instantly lightened as he looked around, taking in the small touches of home that he wasn’t used to seeing in his own empty apartment. They sat at the table, and Naruto grinned as Yona set out dinner for them.
“You know,” Naruto said, taking a big sniff of the delicious spread in front of him, “I never thought you’d be so… nice.” He laughed, scratching his head sheepishly. “Not that you’re not nice, but you’re, uh, kinda intense at the Academy.”
Yona raised an eyebrow. “Intense? You mean, I don’t put up with your pranks or your, uh… Sakura declarations?” She smirked, leaning forward a bit.
Naruto’s face turned red, and he flailed his hands defensively. “Hey! Sakura’s just, well… you know. But don’t think I’m just a prankster! I’m gonna be Hokage one day, believe it!” His eyes sparkled with that familiar fire as he said it, clenching a fist dramatically.
Yona laughed, shaking her head. “Sure, but maybe start with graduating the Academy first. Kind of a necessary step, wouldn’t you say?”
Naruto froze, his bravado faltering. “Right… uh… graduating.” His eyes widened in realization, and he looked at her with a sudden flash of panic. “I… I have to graduate first! Oh no, I haven’t even mastered the Clone Jutsu yet! How am I supposed to be Hokage if I can’t pass?”
Yona chuckled and reached across the table to pat his shoulder. “Calm down. One step at a time. Besides, if you keep working at it, I bet you’ll figure it out eventually. Maybe I can help, too.” She offered him a reassuring smile.
Naruto relaxed a bit, his shoulders lowering as he grinned back. “Thanks, Yona. You’re actually… pretty cool. And this food—wow, it’s amazing!” He dove into his meal with enthusiasm, practically inhaling the food as he piled compliments on every dish.
“Slow down, you’ll choke,” Yona teased, laughing at his eagerness. “Shizune and Tsunade aren’t even here yet, and they’d kill me if they came home to find you passed out on the table.”
Just then, the front door opened, and the familiar voices of Tsunade and Shizune drifted in.
“Tsunade-sama, I really think you should reconsider handling that hospital paperwork tomorrow instead of—” Shizune was saying, but she broke off when they both spotted Yona and Naruto at the table.
Tsunade felt her heart skip a beat—Naruto’s resemblance was undeniable, from his striking blue eyes to the unmistakable glint of determination she’d seen in only one other person. In that moment, memories washed over her, and she was overwhelmed with a sudden, unexpected wave of grief.
For a second, she could only stare, too taken aback to say a word.
Shizune, noticing Tsunade’s reaction, quickly stepped forward with a warm smile. “Naruto, welcome! It’s nice to have you here.” Her voice was gentle, understanding the emotions likely stirring in Tsunade. She began to serve him more food, and Naruto’s eyes lit up with pure joy.
“This food is amazing, Shizune-san!” Naruto exclaimed, mouth half-full. “It’s the best thing I’ve ever had!” He laughed, delighted when Shizune even brought out a small bowl of dessert, much to his excitement.
Yona pretended to pout. “What? Shizune, I don’t even get the good dessert.”
“Guess I’m just special,” Naruto teased, grinning at her. The two of them exchanged a friendly look, and for a moment, the room seemed full of warmth.
They chatted for a while longer, Naruto eagerly praising every dish, while Shizune refilled his plate with a soft smile. Tsunade stayed silent, occasionally glancing at Naruto, who was too engrossed in his food to notice. Finally, as Naruto finished his last helping, he stood and thanked Shizune and Yona profusely.
“You’re welcome anytime, Naruto,” Shizune said, giving him a gentle pat on the back. “I’m glad you enjoyed everything.”
Naruto beamed. “Thanks, Shizune-san, Yona! I’ll see you both at the Academy!” With a wave, he headed out the door, his cheerful energy lingering in the house even after he’d left.
Yona looked at her aunt with a raised eyebrow, a little concerned. "You okay, Tsuna?"
Tsunade gave a small, forced smile. "Yeah… yeah, I’m fine, Yona," she replied, though her gaze lingered on the door where Naruto had exited. The usual spark in her eyes seemed dimmed, lost in thought.
Yona leaned closer, searching Tsunade's face. "You sure? You’ve been super quiet since you walked in.”
Tsunade snapped out of her reverie and gave Yona a gentle pat on the shoulder. "I'm just… tired. It’s been a long day at the hospital."
Yona nodded, though she had the distinct feeling there was more to it than that. Shizune, catching her eye, offered a small nod, silently signaling for her to let it go for now.